Curriculum
English
Courses
KS3
In Years 7-9 students follow an integrated programme of study which covers the three profile components of Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing.
In speaking and listening students work to adapt their speech to different situations, using accurate and varied vocabulary. They are encouraged to show sensitivity to others in discussions and to share their views.
Through reading our students develop a critical understanding of the ways in which meaning and information are conveyed in a range of texts.
Writing develops students’ confidence in a range of styles and registers with an emphasis on demonstrating fluency and variety and students are encouraged to take responsibility for the accuracy of their work.
Throughout the Key Stage students are offered the opportunity to develop skills in Media Studies
KS4
At Forest Hill most students study GCSEs in both English Literature and English Language.
We follow the A.Q.A. GCSE course in English Literature and students take the English Literature exam at the end of Year 10. The course provides opportunities for the study of a substantial and diverse range of literary texts including prose, poetry and drama. Students take the A.Q.A. English Language GCSE at the end of Year 11. This course provides opportunities for developing skills in Reading, Writing and Speaking and Listening. Students work on a wide range of writing tasks, writing for different purposes and aiming for a high degree of technical accuracy, also reading widely and responding to a range of fiction and non-fiction texts. All students work towards feeling confident in the ways they use and understand English, including using language in powerful and innovative ways in creative writing.
KS5
Within the Department we offer A Levels in English Literature, Media Studies and Film Studies. We also offer an Applied A Level course in Media and a full time vocational National Certificate course in Media Studies. The Department also contributes teaching for the new Diploma in Performing Arts.
Extra Curricular
We try to take full advantage of our proximity to Central London in organising trips and visits. All Year 7 students are offered the opportunity to vist the theatre – this year we organised four trips to see ‘Nation’ at the National Theatre. We also arrange trips at various times of the year at both Key Stages 3 and 4, as well as oranising for visiting theatre companies to perform for the students, often with a focus on Shakespeare. At Key Stage 5 we offer numerous theatre and cinema trips, including a number during the London Film Festival, as well as student screenings throughout the year. Recent highlights have included screenings of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, where the director, Danny Boyle discussed the film with students, and ‘The Magic Flute’, where director Kenneth Brannagh answered questions afterwards. In recent years English Literature A Level classes have attended many West End theatre productions, as well as an annual trip to Belgium to support work on World War One literature.